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After two years of negotiations and only sixteen days left until the UK leaves the EU, we are still faced with the possibility of a No Deal Brexit. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) is disappointed at the persisting lack of clarity concerning the transition period, which is the only solution that would give business sufficient time to prepare for what will come next.

In the last few years, a momentum for women’s rights and justice around the globe has continued to grow. Whether in pay, promotion or politics, equality is beneficial to everyone and by investing in this change, we are investing in a better future for all. The business community, specifically US companies, recognise this need and are committed to engaging in difficult but important conversations alongside targeted actions.

AmCham EU and its members are committed to fostering discussion and sharing best practices through our Gender Initiatives Task Force. In addition, one of AmCham EU’s Agenda for Action 2019-2024 priority areas focuses on Empowering People, which includes supporting industry-led initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Women are still significantly underrepresented in today's tech sector. European Commission data shows that only 24 out of 100 women have an ICT related degree and that only six of these are then employed in the digital sector.

OnThursday, 7 March, the Gender Initiatives Task Force hosted a breakfast to discuss the persisting gender gap in the ICT sector. Speakers from business, EU institutions and Member States brought their perspective on how to improve female access to ICT related degrees and jobs.

In the wake of the recent US Department of Commerce Section 232 report submitted to President Trump on the impact on US national security of the import of EU cars and car parts into the US – the findings of which are not yet known – US business strongly counsels against the imposition of any new tariffs on the EU.

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) is concerned about the Council text adopted on 1 March 2019 on the proposed 'New Deal for Consumers Omnibus Directive' that introduces exemptions from the full harmonisation principle of the Unfair Commerical Practices Directive.

Given the progress of the implementation of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) in the EU, and ongoing discussions on digital taxation, AmCham EU's February Plenary meeting was dedicated to assessing where Europe stands in terms of tax competitiveness.

AmCham EU is delighted that legislators came to an agreement on the European Defence Fund (EDF) after the third trilogue meeting. With a budget of EUR13 billion from 2021 to 2027, the EU is making its first major contribution to collaborative defence research and capability development. The EDF marks a crucial advancement in strengthening the defence industry in the EU.

A high-level delegation of US Congressional staff representing the House Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committees met with AmCham EU members on Friday, 22 February 2019 to discuss the prospects for EU-US trade and broader business priorities. The meeting was part of a trip organised by the Washington-based EU Delegation to the US. Members stressed the value of Europe and the transatlantic relationship to US companies, and the opportunities for cooperation to further develop our economies and set global standards.

The European Commission has set an ambitious vision to foster the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the same time, the pervasive and transformative nature of AI has brought questions about transparency, explainability and accountability to the top of the EU digital policy agenda. Addressing these important questions is the responsibility of industry and governments alike and requires a strong public-private partnership.

Given the co-legislators' ongoing discussions on the sustainable finance package published by the European Commission in May, and the importance of this project in the years to come, AmCham EU's January Plenary meeting was dedicated to showcasing our members' continued commitment to sustainable finance.

Following the UK Parliament’s rejection of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, discussions are currently ongoing in London on how to move forward. US companies are concerned that these developments still bring us no closer to an orderly exit of the UK from the EU.

On 9 January 2019 AmCham EU signed a joint industry statement to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, urging him to consider and approve the the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). This agreement that will boost economic growth and promote job creation both in the EU and Vietnam.

AmCham EU welcomed Ambassador Luminita Odobescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union, on Wednesday, 9 January 2019 for a conversation with members on the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

We are at a critical moment in defining Europe’s future relationship with the UK. With the UK due to exit the European Union in three and half months, AmCham EU hosted a timely panel discussion on ‘Brexit: what does it mean for customs and supply chains?’, led by the Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) will not only introduce for the first time EU funding for defence research and capability development, but also has the potential to significantly alter the way defence industrial cooperation is done in Europe in the long-term.